In the course of pondering the recent terrorist attacks on American targets, I realized that it signifies an important shift in the behavior of people within world civilization. This shift has been away from large centralized structures towards smaller, increasingly autonomous (but interconnected) structures. An interesting thing about this shift is that, in terms of progress, it's almost counterintuitive.
the post-centralized world and how Osama bin Laden resembles Napster [1]
The Gus [2] is on to something here—there does seem to be a paradigm shift (if I may be excused for using such a term) going on.
Years ago, as a kid, I couldn't see myself living anyplace where I couldn't receive TV (Television). Of course, growing up I was spoiled by living between the two major television markets of Miami and West Palm Beach, so I got two of ABC, (American Broadcasting Company) [3] two NBC, (National Broadcasting Company) [4] two of CBS, (Columbia Broadcasting System) [5] two PBS (Public Broadcasting System) [6] and a host of independant stations, for a total of maybe 20 broadcasting stations. TV. (Television) I needed my TV. Now, however, I no longer really watch TV, but now I can't see living anywhere without Internet access.
But if Osama bin Laden can conduct highly effective terrorist activities from a place like Afghanistan, (Limbs of no body: World's indifference to the Afghan tradedy [must read]) [7] then maybe, just maybe, the world is slowly decentralizing and the need for cities is lessened. And like The Gus, I can only hope “that there are more overwhelmingly more people interested in trading music than in killing themselves as a means to injure the Great Satan.”
[1] http://www.spies.com/~gus/ran/0109/010918.htm
[2] http://www.spies.com/~gus/
[7] http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2001/June/Afghan/index.html